CODEWITHSUNDEEP
visual-c++runtime
Nathan Osman
Nathan Osman

Reputation: 73305

How to properly install MS VC++ 9 runtime?

I have an application that uses the ms vc++ runtime. How should I install it on the end-user's system if it is not present? I was thinking of bundling it with the installer... but how would I do that as far as what to include? Is there some silent installer? If so, where can it be found? I can't seem to find it in the Windows SDK.

Upvotes: 2

Views: 11849

Answers (3)

Alex Jasmin
Alex Jasmin

Reputation: 39516

There is an interesting post about deploying the runtime libraries on the Visual C++ blog. The post is about VC8 so I'm not sure all the recommendations apply to VC9.

Here are your options according to Microsoft:

  • Use an .msi installer including the .MSM files for the VC libraries you're using. These MSM files install the libraries globally. They also keep a reference count so that the libraries are removed when the last application using them gets uninstalled.
  • Use "app-local" deployment i.e. copy the libraries and manifest files in your application directory. This is a simpler solution if you don't use an .msi installer. Your app should still use the system version of the libraries if they are more up-to-date than your own.
  • Link everything statically (and avoid crt usage across dll boundaries)

Another option Microsoft discourage you from using is running the Visual C++ redist installer from your own installer.

I'm not sure what their reasons are. It will take a few extra megabytes and will not be reference counted but it still works very well AFAICT. You can pass the /q option to vc_redist_x86.exe to perform an unattended install (no user interaction).

Upvotes: 4

dkackman
dkackman

Reputation: 15589

It has it's own installation program. I've seen it usually run as a prereq step of a larger installer.

Upvotes: 2

bmargulies
bmargulies

Reputation: 100196

One way or the other, you need to list it in your manifest. So you might just as well deliver it as via SxS in your application rather than try to deliver a global copy to the target machine. SxS is a big hard subject, sadly. Hopefully someone will supply an answer with more details and I'll delete this one.

Upvotes: 0

Related Questions